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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2011; 27(1); 73-92; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.004

Equine metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: The concept of an equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) was first proposed in 2002. This concept has developed over time, and EMS was recently described in a consensus statement released by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In human medicine, metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a set of risk factors that predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, including obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria, and hypertension. EMS shares some of the features of MetS, including increased adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, IR, but differs in that laminitis is the primary disease of interest.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-12 PubMed ID: 21392655DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), a condition which was first identified in 2002, sharing similar attributes with human Metabolic Syndrome such as obesity, insulin resistance and increased body fat, with a focus on the equine disease laminitis.

Overview of the Research Article

This research article was originally aimed at discussing the concept of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), which was primarily suggested in 2002. The concept has gradually evolved over time and recently described in a consensus statement by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Like in human medicine, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that have the potential to result in cardiovascular disease.

  • Such risk factors encompass obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria, and hypertension.
  • The author of the article however points out that EMS in horses shares some features with human MetS, including increased fatness, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance.
  • Nonetheless, the primary difference between EMS and human MetS is that the major disease of concern in EMS is laminitis.

Concept of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

The author explains that the concept of EMS was first proposed in 2002 to describe a set of risk factors observed in horses.

  • The risk factors include obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance.
  • Since the proposal, the concept has evolved and become established, as confirmed in a consensus statement from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • EMS in horses has been compared to the Metabolic Syndrome found in humans due to the similarity in risk factors, particularly those relating to cardiovascular disease.

Characteristics of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

The article also outlines the characteristics and symptoms of EMS in horses.

  • The main symptoms shared between EMS and human MetS include increased adiposity (fatness), hyperinsulinemia (excess levels of insulin in the blood), and insulin resistance.
  • The most crucial distinguishing factor between human MetS and EMS is the prominence of the disease laminitis in horses affected by EMS.
  • Laminitis is a severe and painful condition affecting the hooves of horses, leading to lameness and, in severe cases, euthanasia.

Cite This Article

APA
Frank N. (2011). Equine metabolic syndrome. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 27(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.004

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
Pages: 73-92

Researcher Affiliations

Frank, Nicholas
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. nfrank@utk.edu

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Breeding
  • Diet, Reducing / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Lameness, Animal / etiology
  • Lameness, Animal / metabolism
  • Lameness, Animal / therapy
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / therapy
  • Metabolic Syndrome / veterinary
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / therapy
  • Obesity / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 43 times.
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